Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies offers a diverse selection of thought-provoking and hands-on courses. The program is tailored to prepare students for successful graduate studies or satisfying careers. Our goal is to prepare future leaders in civic or federal services, environmental consulting, environmental law, fish and wildlife, environmental assessment and management, or emerging "green" industries and services.

Environmental Studies might be for you. if...

You like the outdoors and high-tech analysis

You are interested in a wide range of disciplines (and want to try out different things)

You strive to gain 21st century job skills for a satisfying and well-paid career

You care about your impact on the planet

You seek intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking ideas

You value Hands-on skills needed for grad school, other disciplines and professions

All required courses and electives for the Environmental Studies major strike a balance between the social and natural sciences as they relate to the environment. Students are exposed to the scientific principles, fieldwork, current research, perspectives and theories, as well as other academic disciplines that contribute to the study of the environment and its connections to social responsibility, global awareness, economics, politics, and policy development. Experiential learning is a fundamental component of the Environmental Studies major. Experiential learning includes exposure to and the application of cutting-edge technology, meeting professionals, review and authorship of research articles, and participating in field trips and field work in areas such as air and water quality, sustainable tourism, terrestrial ecology, and prairie ecosystem preservation. Students will have an opportunity to participate in the Institute's interdisciplinary excursions. Summer internships and service learning, while not a requirement, provide students with important real-world experiences.

RATIONALE FOR REQUIRED COURSEWORK:

Basic Requirements: These courses provide students with a broad foundation, perspectives, theories, and context for more specific areas in environmental studies. Courses were chosen and designed to balance the social and natural sciences. Courses in the natural sciences and analytical disciplines, such as GIS, provide the foundation to understand and analyze ecosystems and environmental interactions. Social science classes as well as other interdisciplinary courses provide the connection to humans and our technological, economical, and political interactions related to environmental topics.

Interdisciplinary Requirements These requirements represent the international relations and business, English, and environmental studies outlooks on the Institute issues of women's leadership, social responsibility, and global perspective. Although these issues are emphasized throughout the environmental studies curriculum, the additional courses will enable a thorough imprint of the Institute's signature and provide the opportunity for an interdisciplinary application of environmental studies in the fields of English and international relations and business.

Upper Division Electives: Environmental studies is a broad interdisciplinary field. While it is important to provide an overview and foundation (through required courses) it is also critical to offer specializations through course electives. Course electives are designed to prepare our students for a competitive job market or continued academic careers in specializations that match their goals and needs. Two possible specializations might be environmental science and technology and environmental policy and business.

Capstone Research Project The capstone research project will be the culmination of the student's work and will prepare her as a future scientist or professional with in-depth knowledge in key areas of her choosing.

Suggested lower division classes

As part of any major at Cottey College, students have to fulfill general education' requirements. In order to fulfill these requirements students are encouraged to choose classes related to or beneficial for environmental studies. The provided list names classes with an environmental connection that might also fulfill general education requirements.